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Irrational Man
2015 95 min United States of America R 18+
★6.2
Drama, Comedy
Director: Woody Allen
Trailers
Description
On a small town college campus, a philosophy professor in existential crisis gives his life new purpose when he enters into a relationship with his student.
Budget:
$11M
US Gross:
$4.03M
Worldwide:
$27.39M
Starring
Joaquin Phoenix
Actor
Emma Stone
Actor
Parker Posey
Actor
Awards
3 nominations total
Key opinion
Irrational Man receives a polarized reception, with many critics viewing it as a lightweight or superficial riff on Dostoevsky rather than a profound existential drama. While audiences and critics frequently praise the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, the film's reliance on familiar Allen tropes leaves viewers divided on whether its philosophical inquiries are genuinely compelling or merely academic posturing.
| Acting | Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone deliver strong performances that elevate their respective characters. | |
| Adaptation | The film attempts a lighthearted, almost breezy adaptation of heavy Dostoevskian themes like those found in Crime and Punishment. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay's heavy reliance on dense philosophical monologues and intellectual name-dropping feels either intellectually stimulating or tediously academic. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is often described as slow and deliberate, which some find atmospheric and others find boring. | |
| Originality | The shift from a meditative character study to a thriller-like plot creates a tonal disconnect for many viewers. |